In this place, the Cathedral of Guayaquil, the faith of the city of Guayaquil is preserved.

Texto: Trail Forth Journal / Fotos: Trail Forth Journal & Instituto Nacional Patrimonio.

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Guayaquil, San Pedro Apóstol, before being promoted to Cathedral by Pope Gregory XVI on 14th September 1838, was called Iglesia Matriz and located at the foot of Las Peñas, where the city of Guayaquil was born.

Guayaquil Metropolitan Cathedral History.

Its original construction dates back to the middle of the 16th century on the hill of Santa Ana, and it was made of 100% wood. From that time to the present day, it has been dedicated to the Apostle Santiago, the patron saint of the city. At the end of the 17th century, several fires devastated the city, one of which, in 1692, destroyed the wooden church.

The present cathedral stands on the site of the first mother church, built in 1965. This is the area that has been occupied since its designation in the New City: Chimborazo Street, close to the Plaza Mayor or Plaza de Armas.

Catedral de Guayaquil

From Calle Chimborazo you can see the front of the cathedral, where you can see the carved statues of the four evangelists, the same ones that have been there since the cathedral was built. Above them are two imposing towers that end in neo-Gothic spires.

Colour photograph Catedral de Guayaquil, 1877.

Guayaquil Cathedral description.

At present there are two clocks. One of them used to indicate the tide in the Guayas River. In the upper part there is a statue of Santiago Mayor, which can be seen from some of the streets around the cathedral. Inside this important Catholic temple there are three naves: central, side and transept. Next to the altar there is a chapel dedicated to the Holy Sacrament, and underneath there is a crypt with tombs that are more than 200 years old.

This is undoubtedly the most important place in Guayaquil for the expression of faith, with stained glass, ogives, images of apostles from the Old and New Testaments, as well as important Latin American saints and blessed.

The cathedral has three important processions during the year: Corpus Christi, Corazon de Jesus and Cristo Rey. The Cathedral of Guayaquil is part of the Arquidiocesis de Guayaquil.